Uganda
WASH coalition
In Uganda, a National Sanitation Working Group (NSWG) was set up in 2003, to coordinate and promote hygiene and sanitation in the country. The NSWG includes six different Ministries, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation, Kampala City Council, development partners such as the Water and Sanitation Program Africa and UNICEF, and NGOs such as Uganda Water and Sanitation Network (UWASNET) and WaterAid.
The WASH campaign has been instrumental in bringing together a wide range of stakeholders, resulting in improved communication and coordination. The Minister for Water, Lands and Environment Mrs. Maria Mutagamba has played a key role in promoting the global WASH campaign, and is one of the co-convenors of the global Women Leaders for WASH initiative.
Focus
The NSWG has incorporated the WASH campaign, which aims to contribute to the acceleration of progress towards achieving the water and sanitation Millennium Development Goals.
Activities, Milestones and Major Achievements
During 2008, WASH activities in Uganda related to the International Year of Sanitation, campaigning work and advocacy were conducted. Major attention was given to HIV/AIDS and WASH:
- Advocacy workshop held for National Community Women Living with HIV/AIDS (NACWOLA) and media representatives.
- NACWOLA supported activities and the outcome of the advocacy workshops was monitored.
- Advocacy in media on the WASH achievements during the International Year for Sanitation.
Both workshops were successfully conducted and collaborating with the media is recognized as highly important as is capacity building to improve communication skills of community workers, and lobbying to integrate related topics in school curriculum. The community workshops were both well attended.
The achievements of the National Sanitation Working Group so far have included:
- Cooperation with media intensified,
- influencing of sanitation budgets in the water and sanitation sector and the line ministries,
- promotion and advocacy for an annual national sanitation week,
- development of a ten-year Improved Sanitation and Hygiene (ISH) Financing Strategy;
- documentation of Best Operational Practices (BoPs); and
- the initiation of a nationwide hand washing campaign.
Links and Resources
Both reports below refer to activities that are part of the Uganda International Year of Sanitation, and to the integration of HIV/AIDS and WASH issues, working together with the National Community of Women Living with HIV and AIDS (NACWOLA).
